Abstract
Results of a double-shear single-dowel wood connection tested under monotonic quasi-static compression loading are presented and discussed in this paper. The wood used in this study was a pine wood, namely the Pinus pinaster species, which is one of the most important Portuguese species. Each connection (specimen) consists of three wood members: a centre member, loaded in compression along the parallel-tograin direction and two simply supported side members, loaded along the perpendicular-to-grain direction (Tconnection). The load transfer between wood members was assured by means of a steel dowel, which is representative of the most common joining technique applied for structural details in wooden structures. The complete load-slip behaviour of the joint is obtained until failure. In particular, the values of the stiffness, the ultimate loads and the ductility were evaluated. Additionally, this investigation proposed non-linear 3D finite element models to simulate the T-joint behaviour. The interaction between the dowel and the wood members was simulated using contact finite elements. A plasticity model, based on Hill’s criterion, was used to simulate the joint ductility and cohesive damage modelling was applied to simulate the brittle failure modes (splitting) observed in the side members of the joint. The simulation procedure allowed a satisfactory description of the non-linear behaviour of the T-joint including the collapse prediction.
Highlights
The connections are frequently the critical elements of timber structures, being responsible for the reduction of continuity and global structural strength, requiring oversized structural elements
This paper presents experimental and numerical results from monotonic quasi-static compression tests of a double-shear single dowel wood connection, made of Pinus pinaster wood, which is one of the species with large implantation in Portugal
The T-connection consists of three wood members: two supported side members loaded along the perpendicular-to-grain direction and a centre member loaded in compression along the parallel-to-grain direction, according to the recommendations of the EN26891 standard [18]
Summary
The connections are frequently the critical elements of timber structures, being responsible for the reduction of continuity and global structural strength, requiring oversized structural elements. The knowledge of the mechanical behaviour of these dowel-type connections (e.g. load–slip relation, stress distribution, ultimate strength and failure modes) is of primordial importance for their rational application This complex behaviour is governed by several geometric, material and load parameters (e.g. wood species, dowel diameter, end and edge distances, space between connectors, number of connectors, hole/dowel clearance, friction and load configuration). The connection configuration originated the occurrence of both ductile and brittle failure modes For this reason, the numerical modelling included a plasticity model, to simulate the ductile behaviour observed essentially in the centre member, and a cohesive damage model implemented along with contact finite elements, to simulate the splitting occurred on side members. The non-linear behaviour of the connection is evaluated and compared with the experimental data, allowing the calibration of the proposed models
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